Cash registers and other accounting machines

ABSTRACT

According to the invention we provide an apparatus for calculating and indicating information data applied thereto comprising keyboard or other input means, means including a series of elements adapted to receive information applied thereto, a corresponding series of switches adapted to produce electric signals, an electronic means responsive to said signals for transferring the information and for effecting calculations from the information; toothed movable elements; mechanical indicator means operatively connected with the teeth on the toothed elements; power operable means for driving the apparatus through a cycle of operations such that at the beginning of the cycle all the toothed elements are brought to their zero positions and in a later part of the cycle said power operable means permit the toothed elements to advance through a series of positions corresponding to series of numbers, and a series of stop means operable by the electronic means and serving to stop the toothed elements in various of said positions corresponding to the transferred or calculated result figures required to be indicated.

United States Patent Gross et al.

[451 Sept. 12, 1972 CASH REGISTERS AND OTHER ACCOUNTING MACHINES [72]Inventors: Henry Gross; Samuel Gross, both of i London, W. 10, England[58] Field of Search ..235/7 R, 11, 23, 603-604, 235/61 R, 61 A, 61PK,91 R, 91 G, 92 R, 92 B, 92 C, 92 F, 92 G, 92 H, 92 AC, 92 CP, 92

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,097,789 7/1963 Kassel etal. ..235/6l PK 3,313,923 4/1967 Felcheck ..235/92 AC PrimaryExaminer-Malcolm A. Morrison Assistant Examiner-R. Stephen Dildine, Jr.Attorney-William Anthony Drucker [5 7] ABSTRACT According to theinvention we provide an apparatus for calculating and indicatinginformation data applied thereto comprising keyboard or other inputmeans, means including a series of elements adapted to receiveinformation applied thereto, a corresponding series of switches adaptedto produce electric signals, an electronic means responsive to saidsignals for transferring the information and for effecting calculationsfrom the information; toothed movable elements; mechanical indicatormeans operatively connected with the teeth on the toothed elements;power operable means for driving the apparatus through a cycle ofoperations such that at the beginning of the cycle all the toothedelements are brought to their zero positions and in a later part of thecycle said power operable means permit the toothed elements to advancethrough a series of positions corresponding to series of numbers, and aseries of stop means operable by the electronic means and serving tostop the toothed elements in various of said positions corresponding tothe transferred or calculated result figures required to be indicated.

6 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED EP EIHYZ 3 691 360 sum 1 [IF 9 PATENTED 12 I972 3.691. 360

SHEET *4 UF 9 KEYBOARD /5 29 MATRIX KEYBOARD CONTROL 37 3 3 TICKETDRIVER FUNCTION 34 39 DECODER CLUTCH DRIVER 315 3 1C T I 310 ARI H- T cSTORE FERR/TE UN CONTROL STORE TIMING RESULT LAY sou/vow 753 cou/vmzBUFFER DRWERS SHEET 8 [IF 9 LATOR PATENTEDSEP 12 m2 OSCIL- -X- RINGCOUNTER Y RING COUNTER AND AND

AND 730A AND PATENTEUSEPIZIHTZ 3.691.360-

SHEUQUFQ CASH REGISTERS AND OTHER ACCOUNTING MACHINES The indicationprovided by such machines is commonly effected by a print-out mechanismwhich, for example, produces a printed strip and/or ticket and/or visualindicator means.

The main object of the present invention is to retain mechanicalindicator elements while simplifying the mechanical construction of theapparatus and providing an apparatus which is compact and capable ofreliable operation over a long period. Another important object of theinvention is to provide an apparatus which lends itself to ease ofassembly in factory production.

According to the invention we provide an apparatus for calculating andindicating information data applied thereto comprising keyboard or otherinput means, means including a series of elements adapted to receiveinformation applied thereto, a corresponding series of switches adaptedto produce electric signals, an electronic means responsive to saidsignals for transferring the information and for effecting calculationsfrom the information; toothed movable elements; mechanical indicatormeans operatively connected with the teeth on the toothed elements;power operable means for driving the apparatus through a cycle ofoperations such that at the beginning of the cycle all the toothedelements are brought to their zero positions and in a later part of thecycle said power operable means permit the toothed elements to advancethrough a series of positions corresponding to series of numbers, and aseries of stop means operable by the electronic means and serving tostop the toothed elements in various of said positions corresponding tothe transferred or calculated result figures required to be indicated.

A constructional form of apparatus made in accordance with the inventionwill now be described by way of example with reference to theaccompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the keyboard of a cash register made inaccordance with the British decimal monetary system and suitable for usewith the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of some essential parts of the cashregister made in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4am elevational views of certain parts shown in perspectivein FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a simplified view of the electronic circuits;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative form of keyboard suitablefor the dollar monetary system;

FIG. 7 is a table of some typical functions;

FIG. 8 is a table showing how functions are to be effected;

FIG. 9 is an electronic circuit indicating the way of carrying out thefunctions;

FIG. 10 briefly illustrates the electronic connections for sending asignal to the ticket issuing means; and

FIG. 11 illustrates the ticket printing and issuing devices.

The keyboard shown in FIG. 1 consists of ten columns of key numbers inthe form of keys 15 15A, v12:

First Column: A single key marked 15A. This key will be arranged toeffect cycling of the machine so as to give an indication to theshopkeeper and to the customer of various required pieces of informationand (in this example) also to print the information.

Second Column. This consists of a single key for a halfpenny.

Third Column. This has nine keys marked 1 to 9 respectively for penceand all arranged to effect cycling of the machine.

Fourth Column. This has nine keys marked 1% to 9% respectively for penceand half pence and again all arranged for cycling the machine.

Fifth Column. This has nine keys marked in tens 10 to for pence andthese will not cycle the machine in this example.

Sixth Column. This has nine keys marked none of which effects cycling.

Seventh Column. This has nine nomcycling keys marked 10 to 90.,

Eighth Column. This has nine keys marked I to IX to show different typesof information to be stored, e.g., different types of products. Allthese marks will be shown on the indicator and printed on a strip and/orticket.

Ninth Column. This has nine keys operating in a manner similar to thekeys of column 8.

10th Column (last) has a key Z for clearing totals, a key X forsub-totals, e.g., sub-totals of a days taking of any selected assistant,a key C for credit, a key T for indicating the shop assistant, four keyswhich may be marked with selected products, e.g., petrol, oil,cigarettes, etc., used only for indicating and printing, and a key A/Tfor entering the amount tendered which is arranged so that by pressingkey 15A and MT for example will cause the register to cycle twice, firstto show the amount tendered and then to show the change due to thecustomer.

Each key is mounted on a vertical plunger 16 which is urged up to itsnormal position by a spring 17 and is guided by a rod 18 located in aslot 19. The plunger is held in its depressed position by a rod or bail20. The rods 20 are all retracted by means not shown at the initial partof a cycling operation whereupon the springs 17 restore the keys to theupper normal positions.

Each plunger 16 carries a small magnet 24 which when the plunger isdepressed acts on a reed switch 25 and causes an electric signal to besent to the electronic calculating and control means to be described viaa multicore cable 27 and socket connector 28.

The connector 28 will be connected with a plug connector 29 (FIG. 5)which conducts signals to a keyboard control circuit 30 and electroniccalculator device 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D and 31B, consisting of a functiondecoder, arithmetic unit, store control, ferrite store and result bufferrespectively, the multicore output from which leads to the series ofdisplay control and driver devices 32, ticket issuing and driver device33 and clutch control and driver device 34. The devices 32, 33, 34 areconnected respectively with socket connectors 36, 37, 38.

tlto 9 The operation of a live-key causes the apparatus to examine thekeyboard matrix. Before the apparatus can complete its action, and causethe mechanism to operate, certain keyboard matrix conditions must besatisfied.

Typical examples of these conditions are tabulated in FIG. 7 to bedescribed.

The FUNCTION DECODER 31A contains the equivalent of the table FIG. 7 inthe form of logic elements of known type and decides how to perform thefunctions. If the function decoder is unable to interpret the keyboardmatrix sensibly, the machine will fail to cycle, and must be cleared bythe operator prior to reentering information on the keyboard. Thedecoder 31A emits digital coded signals e.g., a key in the fourth columnwould be indicated by 0101 followed by the appropriate digital code forthe whole number.

The decoded function controls the ARITHMETIC UNIT 31B and the STORECONTROL 31C. The store control reads from the FERRITE STORE 31D thetotals that have to be processed. This information (from the ferritestore) is transferred to the arithmetic unit, where the keyboard amountis added to the totals in turn.

The resultant totals are then committed to the ferrite store forretention, again by the store control 31C.

At the same time the relevant information is transmitted to the RESULTBUFFER 31E.

Successful completion of the above processes cause the clutch solenoid103 (FIG. 2) to operate.

This solenoid initiates the mechanical cycle, and during part of themechanical cycle the display solenoids (to be described) are operated,resulting in a display of the information requested by the keyboard.

The required keys are cleared by the cycling of the apparatus, ready forthe next operator action.

The form of store used is ferrite core storage and has sufficientcapacity to contain the amount of cash in 18 totals, where each amountcould be up to 99z99932i;

This storage media (i.e., ferrite cores) is very con- 9 venient and isfrequently used when non-volatile properties are required. Knownprecautions are taken to ensure that the information stored is notdestroyed or corrupted, when the electricity supply is removed, whateverthe reason for supply interruption.

It is possible to read from the store, and not restore the informationand this is referred to as Grandtotalling or destructive-read-out, thisbeing known ferrite store technique.

When the information is to be examined and then restored, the process iscalled sub-totalling or nondestructive-read-out. Operation of keys X andA will cause a sub-total to be indicated and printed.

The Z key performs destructive read-out of Grandtotalling operations onparticular totals, e.g., shop assistant totals.

A grand total of a category, for example, is performed by Z and thecategory required.

The socket connectors 36, 38 will be connected respectively to plugs 40(FIG. 3) and 42 (FIG. 4). The connector 37 will be connected to a plug(not shown) which controls an electromagnetic device for controlling thefeeding of the ticket paper and for operating a ticket severing device.

FIG. 2 shows the general assembly of the indicators and power drivenmeans for operating them. They comprise a series of indicator drums ofwhich only one is shown at 45 with its operating means and two othersare generally indicated at 46, 47. Print wheels are also provided one ofwhich is shown at 49.

Drum 45 is one of a set of drums visible to the shopkeeper and 47 is oneof a similar set visible to the customer. The two sets are gearedtogether. Thus the drums 45, 47 may carry the indications S/T LIST andTotal and the print wheel 49 carry the same indications.

Each drum carries a pinion 50 in mesh with a gearwheel 51. The gearwheel51 has a series of pinions 52 in mesh with it, of which only one isshown. The series of pinions 52 are carried on a series of spindles ofwhich one is indicated by the line 54 and each of these spindles carriespinions 53, 55, which drive the drum 47 and print wheels 49, throughgearwheel 56 and pinions 57.

A pinion 59 in mesh with gearwheel 51 is geared to a toothed element inthe form of a circular disc 64 having peripheral teeth except for anedentate portion 65. Thus the disc 64 is permanently geared to thecorresponding indicator drums and print wheels. These discs 64 could, ifdesired, be replaced by a linear rack with suitable modification ofother parts. All the discs 64 are engaged at their edentate portions bya rod or bail 66 which is mounted on a pair of sector shaped plates67,68 which are pivotally mounted on a spindle 70 that also carries thediscs 64. The plates 67, 68 are provided with studs 71, 72 angularlyoffset from the bail 66 which studs enter slots 73, 74 in arms 75, 76.These arms are pivotally mounted at their lower ends on a spindle 78.Between their ends the arms are provided with rolls 80,81 engaged bycams 82, 83 on a camshaft 85. The camshaft 85 carries a plate 86 (FIG.4) fixed to it on which a pawl 87 is pivotally mounted, this pawl beingurged towards the shaft 85 by a spring 88. Surrounding the camshaft 85is a sleeve on which is fixed a gearwheel 90 and a dog clutch plate 91having dog clutch notches 92. The gearwheel is constantly driven bygears 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, the latter being fast on the spindle of anelectric motor 98 (FIG. 2). The pawl 87 has a dog 100 which can enterinto any one of the notches 92 whereupon the pawl and its plate 86 arerotated carrying the camshaft round also. The clutch pawl 87 is normallyheld disengaged by a control pawl 101 which can be depressed to releasethe pawl 87 by the armature 102 of a solenoid 103. The solenoid 103 isconnected by the connector 42 to the electronic control device. Thuswhen the pawl 87 is released the camshaft is rotated through onerevolution whereupon it is stopped because the pawl 101 will havereturned to its normal position (by a spring 104) in which it causespawl 87 to disengage and serves as an abutment against which aprojection 105 on plate 86 engages to stop the plate 86 and thecamshaft.

Rotation of the camshaft through one revolution is term cycling of theregister. During the initial part of a cycle the rods 20 are allwithdrawn from the plungers so that the keys are all restored by thesprings 17 to their normal positions. Then the cams 82, 83 raise thearms 75, 76 whereupon the bail 66 engages the discs 64 at the ends oftheir edentate parts and moves them to their zero positions, togetherwith the indicator drums and print wheels. Over the next part of thecycle the bail moves back thereby permitting the toothed discs with theindicator drums and print wheels to move successively through theirnumber values by means of springs 106 until they are arrested inpositions corresponding to the required information. The arresting ofthe toothed discs is effected by means of pawls 107 operated by thearmatures 108 of solenoids 109 which are connected by multicore cable110 and plug 40 to the electronic calculating device.

The modified form of keyboard shown in FIG. 6 is for use with a dollarcurrency. The first column is the same as FIG. 1. The second column ofFIG. 1 (halfpenny key) is omitted. The second column (lto 9) of FIG. 6is the same as the third of FIG. 1 and the third column of FIG. 6 issimilar to the fourth column of FIG. 1 but instead of representing thenumbers 1 to 9 plus a half, the keys serve for the numbers 1 to 9preceded by the s figure 1. Thus the values 1 to 9 in both second andthird columns of FIG. 6 must control the same indicator drum and thesame print wheel. All the keys in the second and third columns arearranged to cycle the machine. The fourth column covers 10 to 90 cents.If desired, the 10 key could cycle the register. The other keys do notcycle the machine.

The fifth and sixth columns serve for l to 9 and 10 to 90 dollars andare non-cycling keys. The seventh, eighth and ninth columns are the sameas the eighth, ninth and 10th columns of FIG. 1.

The electronic calculating and control device is largely based on knownprinciples of memory storage and read-out (e.g., Logical Design ofDigital Computers by Montgomery Phister, .lr., published by John Wiley &Sons Inc. see Chapter 9). A complete illustration of the entirecircuitry is therefore unnecessary. A general description will, however,now be given.

FIG. 7 shows basically by way of example the circuitry is required toaccomplish. The area K represents keyboard and extends over verticalcolumns representing keys on the keyboard. Thus A1 Cash i.e., all of thekeys in the second to seventh columns,

A2 Category (i.e., all keys in the eighth and ninth columns), A3 ShopAssistant, A4 Z, A5 X, A6 Amount Tendered, A7 Credit, A8 Key A. Otherkeys (e.g., the four product keys of the 10th column) can be added asmay be required by any purchaser of cash registers.

The area B1 covers a vertical column representing Functions which canonly be carried out with cycling of the apparatus when the keysindicated in the corresponding horizontal lines are operated. Thus B2LIST BOTH, B3 LIST BOTH (CREDIT), B4 SUB- TOTAL, B5 AMOUNT TENDERED, B6X CATEGORY.

Under the heading Functions are the names of various functions to becarried out before a cycling operation occurs. The function cannot beperformed unless all the conditions indicated in the horizontal rows areexisting, whereupon the cycling of the machine can take place. In thehorizontal rows I means that the key must be down and 0 means that thekey must be up. List Both means that the machine will not cycle byoperating the LIST key or a live amount key unless a key is activated ineach of the Category and Shop Assistant with other functions.

FIG. 8 shows a scanning and memory store system wherein there are fivememory stores A, B, C, D, E, and three scanning operations, viz. Scan 1,Scan 2, Scan 3, which are effected successively. C1 Scan 1 (OperatorFunction), i.e., the apparatus scans for the items in the top horizontalline, viz. C2 LIST BOTH, C3 LIST BOTH CREDIT, C4 SUBTOTAL, C5 AMOUNTTENDERED, C6 CHANGE DUE which automatically follows by a second cyclingof the machine from C6, C7 AUTOMATIC if B is negative which will bedescribed later, C8 X Category. Because C6 or C7 automatically followC1-C5 they are not shown in FIG. 5

columns. Similarly Area D1 covers SCAN 2, D2 A Store KEY BOARD Amounts,D3 B Store CUSTOMERS TOTAL, D4 C Store MACHINE TOTAL, D5 D StoreCATEGORY TOTALS, and D6 E Store SHOP ASSISTANT TOTALS.

Area E1 is SCAN 3, E2 A Store, E3 B Store, E4 C Store, E5 D Store and E6E Store, F DIS- PLAY and G DISPLAY with destruction of memory storeinformation.

At the end of Scan 2, it is known whether the result of calculations onB Store is to be negative or not. If the result is not negative thenScan 3 follows normally. If, however, the result proves to be negative,then the instructions shown under column C7 are automatically selectedduring Scan 3. During the particular instruction (FIG. 8, column C7, rowE3) labelled H, a negative marker is inserted.

Prior to Scan 1 there are pre-scans which continuously search thekeyboard for an operated live key. On finding a live key nothing happensuntil the end of the complete scan. On reaching the end of a completescan containing a live key, a signal is sent within the logic whichstarts Scan 1.

Scan 1 serves to scan the keyboard to detect which keys indicated by thetop horizontal line of FIG. 7 have been depressed. Scan 1 thus detectswhich of the functions indicated in the left hand vertical column ofFIG. 7 are to be carried out. Certain interlocks are provided so thatthe apparatus will not cycle if the operator presses wrong keys, e.g.,two keys of the same column. The second Scan scans the five memory storesystems and, in effect, for C2 adds the keyboard indicated amount to thestore totals. For the next vertical column C3 represented by the keymarked (FIG. 8) (indicating refund) the scanning provides signals whichleave the A store unchanged, deducts the A store from the B store,leaves the C store unchanged, adds the A store to the D store and leavesthe E store unchanged. Similarly for all the other columns. FIG. 8 showsonly some of the vertical columns and the other (X credit, X shopassistant, and et.) will be obvious.

The third scanning (Scan 3) automatically follows Scan 2, e. g., havingscanned the items in column C2 the remaining items in that column arescanned in Scan 3. Scan 3 provides signals which on cycling by the key15A causes A store to be displayed by the indicator drums and to beprinted, and leaves the other stores unchanged. Similarly, for the othercolumns as indicated. The reference G means that the store is readoutdestructively, i.e., the store is restored to zero.

If at the end of Sean 2 the result is negative, Scan 3 takes thealternative form shown in column C7.

The general nature of the keyboard control 30 and part of the functiondecoder 31A will now be described with reference to FIG. 9 includingmeans required for transferring whole numbers from two columns (I to 9and the l to 9 parts of column 10 to 19) to the same solenoid such as109 to determine the position of the corresponding whole-number drumsuch as 45, and also for transferring the halfpenny from the compositekey column containing halves as well as the single halfpenny key to thesolenoid such as 109 which determines the position of the halfpenny drum45. FIG. 9 shows part of the keyboard matrix 115 connected by lines 27(corresponding to 27 in FIG. to the keyboard control 30.

The apparatus has a clock to synchronize all actions, and in thisapparatus an oscillator -or multivibrator 1 16 forms the basis of theclock. A series of pulses is produced by the multivibrator andparticular pulses are fed to a ring counter 117 marked X. Every time thecounter 117 overflows, a pulse is fed to another similar counter 118marked Y.

Output lines 119 from the counter 117 are connected via transistorswitches 121 to the horizontal rows of the matrix 115 and the outputlines 122 from counter 118 are connected via transistor switches 120 tothe columns of the matrix 115. The switches 120 and 121 are connected toa keyboard output circuit 124 such that when a switch 25 in the matrix115 is closed a circuit is established through the circuit 124 when thecorresponding switches 120, 121 are closed. The outputs from 1 17 and118 are used to determine information paths through the switchingelements 25.

The clock system of the machine is continuously running and because ofthis the keyboard matrix 115 is continually scanned. When a switch 25 atthe intersection of a column and a row is conducting, there is acomplete signal path and an output is produced.

The ring counters are of well known conventional type.

By monitoring the output it is possible to determine which switches 25are closed, and which are not.

When the operator sets the keys, the last one must be a cycling keyi.e., if the last key is not a cycling value key he must finally operatekey 15A to cause cycling. The columns of cycling keys are termed livecolumns.

In setting the keyboard, the logic circuit ignores all signals until oneis sensed in a live column.

This initiates the logic functioning of the apparatus. Various checksare made on the sequence of signals to determine the validity of thekeyboard settings, i.e., if two keys are depressed in the l to 9 columnthe apparatus will not cycle and the operator must reset the keys andstart again.

The keyboard output circuit presents a signal to the main logic of themachine via line 125 when an external continuous circuit is detected asdescribed through a switch 25.

The X-ring counter 117 has output signals in two forms, one (119) isused to drive the keyboard switching circuit 121, and the second is incoded form on four lines 126, 127, 128, 129. The lines 125, 126, 127,128, 129 lead to the function decoder 31A. The

code present on the outputs 126, 127, 128, 129 is in the form 8, 4,2, 1. When there is an output from the keyboard, and if columns A or Bare selected by the Y- ring counter l 18, then the code is staticized bythe four bistable elements 130.

At the appropriate time during SCAN I this staticized information Q1 O8is committed to the ferrite store 31D via lines 1308. The bistables 130are then reset, so that they may be used to staticize furtherinformation.

The binary coding is fed by lines 126-129 to AND gates 130A connected tothe four bistables which are of the type known as type RS. Output columnsignals from columns A and B are fed at A1 and B1 to an OR gate 132which in turn feed signals to the AND gates 130A. In this mannercorresponding whole numbers from columns A and B are fed to thebistables 130.

Similarly, signals from columns A and C are fed at A2, C1 to AND gates140, 141, which in turn are connected to an OR gate 142 which feeds asignal to one halfpenny to the store 143 whether it comes from column Aor column C.

To display the keyboard information, the ferrite memory referred toearlier is read-out and the relevant information is transferred to thedisplay buffer 31E (FIG. 5).

This buffer is of the type known as Content Addressable Memory describedin Content Addressable and Associated Memory Systems A survey by AG.I-Ianlon, I.E.E.E. Transactions on Electronic Computers, Vol. EClS, No.4, pages 509-521.

Information is stored in this buffer in coded form binary-coded decimalcode, the code being in sympathy with the positions of the characters onthe print wheels.

On completion of the logic arithmetic, the logic causes the clutchsolenoid 103 to be actuated.

This in turn initiates one revolution of the display and printingmechanism. Synchronized to the movement of the display wheels is atiming disc 151 (FIG. 2) and when each character is in a position to bedisplayed, a signal is generated by the timing disc and sensed by asensing element 153.

These signals are sent by line 152 to a suitable timing counter circuit152A which generates a code. The code is transmitted to buffer 31E whichcompares them with the codes stored in the display buffer, and for eachposition where this particular code is found stored, one of thesolenoids 109 is actuated.

The above code comparison occurs for every character position on thedrums.

The information displayed is that dictated by the last keyboard settingsin conjunction with the information already in the logic and is retaineduntil the next cycle of the apparatus.

For example in FIG. 8 under C2, at position E2 is shown the worddisplay. This means that the keyboard settings were as B2 in FIG. 7 andmeant list both, and list both in FIG. 8 means, do the calculationsshown but display the contents of A store. From D2 (FIG. 8) it is seenthat A store is the keyboard amount. In this example therefore, theamount just entered on the keyboard is the amount displayed. SimilarlyC4 (FIG. 8) displays the customer's total.

Signals from all other keys are transferred in similar manner throughgates and memory stores such as 132, 130.

The ticket printing and issuing devices are illustrated in FIGS. 10 and11. Within the function decoder 31A there is logic circuit to establishthat it is necessary to perform a task called ticket-issue. Referring toFIG. 7 row B for example, then the function Amount Tendered will requirea ticket to be issued. This requirement is decoded by normal means usinglogic elements, and provided that the resultant calculation issatisfactorily completed, then a signal is transferred via plug 37 tooperate the ticket issue mechanism.

The ticket driver device 33 (FIG. 5) receives a signal from the functiondecoder when all appropriate systems are in order. Thus in FIG.connections 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168 carry signalsrepresenting Cash keys operated, Category, Shop Assistant, Z, X, AmountTendered, Credit, A, Change due respectively. These signals are fedthrough an AND gate 170 to the Ticket Issue Driver 33 which then sends asignal to operate the ticket printing and operating means. Thus allkeys, 161, 162, 163, 164, 166, should signal to indicate no keysdepressed and the other lines should signal all of these keys depressed.

The meaning of change-due (168 on FIG. 11) is that the customer hasoffered either enough, or more than enough, money to pay the bill.

The signal from 33 is sent to a solenoid 172 (FIG. 11), the armature 173of which engages a lever 174 which is urged in one direction by a spring175 and actuated in the other direction when the solenoid is energized.

A shaft 178 is driven during cycling of the machine and carries aguillotine-operating cam 179 fixed to it. The shaft also carries arotary member fixed to it on which is fixed a drive pin 180, and twocams 182, 183 fixed together and mounted freely on the shaft 178. Thecam 182 is a ticket drive cam and the cam 183 is a printing platen drivecam. Between the cams 182, 183 and pivoted thereon is a pawl 185. Whenthe solenoid 172 is energized the lever 174 tilts and a projection 187thereon is removed from one end of pawl 185 so that it swings and bringsits other end into the path of the drive pin 180 whereupon the two cams182, 183 are rotated.

Cam 182 operates a lever 190 pivoted at 191 and connected to a rack 192which drives a ticket driving roll 193 to drive the ticket strip 194.

The cam 183 engages a roll 196 carried by a lever 197 which actuates arod 198 engaged by a cam element 200. The rod 198 carries a projection201 which knocks up a roll 202 on an arm 203. The arm 203 is limited inits lower position by stop 203A and carries a rod 204A which passes upthrough a hole in an arm 204 which carries a printing platen 205. Therod 204A is bent over and down to carry a stop 204B which limits theupward movement of the arm 204. A spring 204C between arm 204 and therod 204A urges arm 204 up to the stop 204B. The rod 198 is shown in itsuppermost position in which the cam pin 200 has cammed the rod 198 outto bring the projection 201 free from the pin 202. The arms 203, 204 arethus lifted up and then dropped so that the platen presses the ticket194 against print wheels 206.

The guillotine cam 179 is engaged by a roll 207 on an arm 208 so as topush this up on every revolution of the shaft 178. The arm 208 ismounted on a pivot 210 which also carries an arm 211. Pivoted on the arm211 is a pawl 212 which has a roll 213 engaged by a projection 214 onthe lever 174. The pawl 212 also has a projection 215. The arm 208 ismoved up and down without moving the arm 211 until the projection 214releases roll 213 on pawl 212, whereupon the projection 215 moves intothe path of a roll 216 on the arm 208. The next upward movement of thearm 208 causes roll 216 to drive the pawl 212 and the arm 211 up. Thearm 211 operates a pawl 218 which drives a guillotine (not shown) alongthe plane indicated by the broken line 220 to sever the ticket from thestrip.

The use of composite keys 1 to 9 and 1% to 9% or 1 to 9 and 11 to 19which are all live or cycling keys forms the subject of our BritishPatent application No. 62227/69.

It is to be understood that the present invention can be used inapparatus not provided with such double columns of live keys.

The apparatus is not limited to cash registers and may be applied toother apparatus such as accounting machines, adding machines,bookkeeping machines and desk calculators, with or without visualindicating means and/or print-out mechanisms.

Conveniently, the above apparatus may be modified to operate without thepush-button or key members. For example, the input information data maybe applied by inserting a card having the input information dataprovided thereon in the form of magnetized characters, the magnetizedparts of the card being used to effect electromagnetic coils for exampleto provide an input into the electronic circuitry. Alternatively, shadedistinguishable characters may be used. Punched card data or other formsof data can also be used.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for indicating number values applied thereto andeffecting computations from said values and indicating the resultsthereof comprising input means for receiving information, meansconnected with said input means and producing electric signalscorresponding to the received information, an electronic meansresponsive to said signals for transferring the information and foreffecting computations from the information, toothed movable elements,mechanical indicator means permanently operatively connected with theteeth on the toothed elements, power operable means which move through apredetermined cycle of motion and then stop, drive means actuated bysaid power operable means and thereby driving the toothed elements totheir zero positions at the beginning of said cycle of motion andthereafter during said cycle releasing said toothed elements to permitthem to advance with the indicator means thugh a series thrugh positionscorresponding to increasing indicator values, means which advance saidtoothed elements, and a series of stop means operable by said electronicmeans and serving to stop the toothed elements in various of saidpositions corresponding to the transferred or computed result figuresrequired to be indicated.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toothed elements arecircular with teeth on the peripheries and the drive means include a rodlocated in edentate portions of all said toothed elements, said rodbeing moved by the power operable means to zeroize the toothed elementsat the beginning of said cycle.

apparatus and operating an electric device to send a signal to a timingcounter circuit which generates a code, which is transmitted to saidbuffer which compares this code with codes stored in the buffer andemits signals to the stop means.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having ticket issuing and printingmeans and a start device for actuating said issuing and printing means,said start device being controlled by signals from said electronicmeans.

1. An apparatus for indicating number values applied thereto and effecting computations from said values and indicating the results thereof comprising input means for receiving information, means connected with said input means and producing electric signals corresponding to the received information, an electronic means responsive to said signals for transferring the information and for effecting computations from the information, toothed movable elements, mechanical indicator means permanently operatively connected with the teeth on the toothed elements, power operable means which move through a predetermined cycle of motion and then stop, drive means actuated by said power operable means and thereby driving the toothed elements to their zero positions at the beginning of said cycle of motion and thereafter during said cycle releasing said toothed elements to permit them to advance with the indicator means thugh a series thrugh positions corresponding to increasing indicator values, means which advance said toothed elements, and a series of stop means operable by said electronic means and serving to stop the toothed elements in various of said positions corresponding to the transferred or computed result figures required to be indicated.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toothed elements are circular with teeth on the peripheries and the drive means include a rod located in edentate portions of all said toothed elements, said rod being moved by the power operable means to zeroize the toothed elements at the beginning of said cycle.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stop means are solenoid operated pawls.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the power operable means include a power driven shaft, a cam, a 1-revolution clutch for connecting said cam to said shaft, and a solenoid operated pawl for permitting engagement of said clutch.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electronic means includes a result buffer which stores codes representing result information, and having a mechanical timing device driven during cycling of the apparatus and operating an electric device to send a signal to a timing counter circuit which generates a code, which is transmitted to said buffer which compares this code with codes stored in the buffer and emits signals to the stop means.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having ticket issuing and printing means and a start device for actuating said issuing and printing means, said start device being controlled by signals from said electronic means. 